How to Get TikTok Shop Commission

TikTok Shop offers a massive opportunity for creators to make a real income directly from their content, turning views into dollars through affiliate commissions. In this guide, we'll walk through exactly how to get approved, find winning products, and create videos that actually drive sales. We will cover the specific requirements, actionable strategies for your content, and the essential steps to start earning commission on the platform.

What Exactly is TikTok Shop Commission?

Think of it as affiliate marketing, but perfectly woven into the TikTok experience. When you join the TikTok Shop Creator program, you can promote products from different brands directly in your videos and LIVE streams. When a viewer clicks the product link on your video (that little orange shopping cart icon) and makes a purchase, you earn a percentage of that sale as commission. It's that straightforward.

There are no brand deals to negotiate, no invoices to send, and no external affiliate links that pull people away from the app. Everything - from discovering products to making a sale and tracking your earnings - happens right inside TikTok. This seamless process makes it incredibly effective for both creators who want to monetize and viewers who want an easy shopping experience.

Creators get access to a massive marketplace of products, select the ones that fit their niche, and promote them with creative freedom. The brands handle all the inventory, shipping, and customer service. Your only job is to create compelling content that connects the right product with the right audience.

How to Qualify and Apply for the TikTok Shop Creator Program

Before you can start earning, you need to be accepted into the TikTok Shop for Creators program. TikTok has a few specific requirements you need to meet to be eligible. The standards can change, but as of now, they are quite accessible for dedicated creators.

Core Eligibility Requirements:

• Follower Count: You need to have at least 5,000 followers. This number used to be higher, so it's become much more attainable for growing creators.
• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Account Activity: You need to have posted a video within the last 28 days to show that your account is active.
• Account Standing: Your account must be in good standing with TikTok, meaning you haven't had major violations of their community guidelines.

If you meet these criteria, the application process is fast and simple, all done within the TikTok app.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply:

1. Navigate to your profile page in the TikTok app.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (the "hamburger" menu) in the top-right corner to open your settings.
3. Select Creator Tools from the menu.
4. Under the "Monetization" section, you should see an option for TikTok Shop for Creators. Tap it.
5. The following screen will confirm if you meet the eligibility requirements. If you do, you can submit your application right there.

The approval process is usually quick, often taking just a day or two. Once approved, you unlock access to the Product Marketplace and can add a "Showcase" tab to your profile, which acts as your personal storefront.

Finding Profitable Products to Promote in the Marketplace

Getting accepted is just the first step. The real fun begins when you start exploring the Product Marketplace to find items to promote. Picking the right products is a mix of knowing your audience, spotting trends, and understanding what makes an item "sellable" on TikTok.

How to Navigate the Product Marketplace

Inside your TikTok Shop creator hub, the Product Marketplace lists thousands of items available for commission. You can search by category, product name, or a seller’s store. For each product, you'll see a few important details:

• The commission rate: This is the percentage you'll earn on each sale. It can range from as low as 1% to over 20%.
• Product price: What the customer will pay.
• Seller rating: A good indicator of the seller's reliability and product quality. Stick with sellers who have positive feedback.
• Number of units sold: This can help you identify trending or popular items.

Strategies for Choosing Winning Products:

1. Stay True to Your Niche

The cardinal rule of building trust with your audience is authenticity. If you’re a skincare creator, promoting a new serum makes sense, promoting power tools probably doesn’t. Choose products that genuinely align with your content and that you believe your viewers will find valuable. Your recommendations will carry more weight, and your conversion rates will be higher.

2. Request Free Samples

One of the best features of the marketplace is the ability to request a free sample from sellers. This is a game-changer. Never promote a product you haven't actually seen, touched, or used. Creating content around a sample allows you to:

• Give an honest, first-hand review.
• Showcase the product's quality and features in detail.
• Build incredible trust with your audience because they see you using it.

When you find a product you like, simply hit the "Request free sample" and wait for the seller to approve and ship it to you.

3. Hunt for Viral Potential

Some products are practically made for TikTok. Look for items with a "wow" factor or that solve a common, relatable problem. Search hashtags like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt or #AmazonFinds to see what kinds of products are already gaining traction. Is it visually satisfying? Does it have a surprising function? Does it simplify a tedious task? These are the kinds of items that often perform best in short-form video.

4. Balance Commission Rates with Sales Volume

A 20% commission on a $100 product sounds great, but it might be much harder to sell than a $15 product with a 10% commission that everyone wants. Don't just chase the highest commission rates. Consider the product's price point and its mass appeal. Sometimes, promoting a more affordable, high-demand product can generate more total income through higher sales volume.

Creating Content That Drives Affiliate Sales

Here’s where your creativity comes into play. Simply pointing a camera at a product and saying "buy this" won't work. The goal is to weave the product into a story or demonstration so seamlessly that the purchase feels like a natural next step for the viewer.

Types of High-Converting Content Formats:

Problem-Solution Videos

This is a classic marketing formula because it works. Start by highlighting a relatable, annoying problem. Maybe it’s cluttered kitchen drawers, frizzy hair, or a phone that’s always dying. Then, introduce the product as the perfect, simple solution. Show it in action solving that exact problem. Example: "I was so tired of my makeup brushes being a mess... then I found this rotating organizer."

Authentic Reviews and Unboxings

Use the free samples you requested to create genuine first-impression videos. Unbox the item on camera, share your immediate thoughts, test its features, and give an honest opinion. Don't be afraid to mention minor drawbacks if there are any, this level of transparency actually boosts your credibility and makes your praise more believable.

Tutorials and "How-To" Videos

Show people how to get the most out of the product. If you're promoting a new cooking gadget, create a video that walks through an entire recipe using it. If it's a piece of software or a digital tool, do a quick screen recording showing its best features. Tutorials position you as an expert and demonstrate the product's value in a practical way.

GRWM (Get Ready With Me) or "Day in the Life"

Instead of making the product the star of the show, make it a co-star in your regular content. A "Get Ready With Me" video is the perfect format for seamlessly integrating makeup, skincare, or hair tools you’re promoting. Showing a product as a natural part of your existing routine is a low-pressure way to expose your audience to it.

Go LIVE with TikTok Live Shopping

LIVE Shopping is one of the most powerful tools for generating sales. You can feature products from your showcase in a 'pin' while you're live. This allows you to demonstrate the product in real-time, answer viewer questions instantly, and create a sense of urgency. Interacting directly with potential buyers can lead to a huge spike in sales during your stream.

Best Practices for Linking Products

Once you’ve filmed and edited your video, you need to link the product. On the final posting screen (where you write your caption and add hashtags), tap the "Add link" button. From there, select "Product," and you’ll see the items you've added to your showcase from the Product Marketplace. Select the right one, and a clickable shopping cart icon will appear on your published video.

A pro tip: Call out the link in your video! Mention something like, “I’ve linked the exact one I’m using right here on the screen” and point toward the lower-left corner where the icon appears. This simple verbal cue reminds people how easy it is to shop.

Tracking Your Performance and Getting Paid

The best creators are data-driven. Your TikTok Shop dashboard provides analytics that show you exactly how your shoppable content is performing. You can track:

• Video Views: How many people are seeing your shoppable content.
• Product Clicks: How many viewers tapped on the shopping cart icon.
• Orders: The number of purchases made through your links.
• Estimated Commission: Your total earnings.

Use this data to understand what's working. Which products get the most clicks? What style of video drives the most sales? Double down on those winning formulas. Your commission will become available for withdrawal after the product's return period has passed, and you can transfer the funds directly to your bank account or PayPal.

Final Thoughts

Earning commissions through TikTok Shop isn't about getting lucky with one viral video, it’s about consistently creating authentic content that serves your audience. By meeting the platform's requirements, thoughtfully selecting products that fit your niche, and integrating them into compelling stories, you can build a sustainable and rewarding income stream directly from your creativity.

Because consistency is so important for affiliate success, we built Postbase with a visual content calendar that makes planning your promotional videos alongside your regular content incredibly simple. You can see your entire schedule at a glance, drag and drop posts to find the perfect flow, and manage all your platforms - from TikTok to Reels to Shorts - without getting overwhelmed. Scheduling your shoppable videos ahead of time gives you the space to focus on what really matters: creating great content that connects with your audience.